My grandmother was a rock in our family, our strength during difficult times, and helped raise me. So when she was diagnosed with dementia, there was no question when it came to supporting her. From my earliest years, she instilled in me a sense of responsibility to always be kind, selfless, and maintain a giving spirit toward others. This is what I adored most about her and carried with me throughout the years. The mental healthcare facility where she eventually stayed became a familiar setting for me. With my mom unable to afford childcare and my older siblings devoted to their sports, I spent many afternoons by my grandma's side. I remember sitting together, reading Bible passages aloud, which was something she had encouraged since I was small to improve my speech. I was in middle school then, but my kid-like curiosity still emerged through many questions. My mom didn't have the answers, so naturally I bombarded the medical staff. I was deeply moved by how they gave compassionate care even on days my grandma was agitated or confused, which was a stark contrast to her usual gentle demeanor. As dementia began to make itself more apparent in our lives, glimpses of my grandma's essential self remained. It also brought out her strength and revealed my own resilience. Through this pain, I learned to find solace in our cherished memories. Sometimes, I'd even wander off from her room and meet other residents. They always welcomed me and were happy to share their stories, often telling me how I reminded them of their grandchildren. In those hallways, surrounded by people who had uniquely remained themselves despite their conditions, mental health as a whole became less taboo and more familiar. I soon realized that I wanted to pursue medicine, a field that puts caring for others at the forefront. I have demonstrated my grandmother's spirit of service in many ways. In high school and college, I have actively volunteered and sought out various psychology and neuroscience courses, gaining deeper insights into the brain and nervous system that help me understand what she experienced. This knowledge solidified my decision to pursue Psychiatry or Neurology, specifically focusing on treating conditions not just as clinical challenges but as human experiences that deserve compassionate understanding. This scholarship is meaningful to me because it acknowledges this need to humanize mental health and wholistically understand the individual aside from the disorder/conditions they experience. My grandmother still lived her life to the fullest. In her moments of clarity, her personality shined through her diagnosis, and she carried herself with a quiet dignity that I always strive to emulate. Overall, her experience is what transformed my view of mental health and shaped my path toward medicine. I witnessed firsthand how the fear of being stigmatized often delays people from seeking help, which can be harmful if conditions go undiagnosed or untreated. By becoming an empathetic physician, my goal is to work toward destigmatizing mental and neurocognitive disorders, ensuring that they are treated with the same significance as physical illnesses. I will advocate for quality care, equitable access, and better resources for underserved communities. Beyond this, I aim to honor my grandma by helping families like mine navigate the overwhelming journey of progressive cognitive decline. I hope that everyone I treat will benefit from the lessons she unknowingly taught me about showing dignity in vulnerability and the impact of compassionate care. In this way, I will ensure that her legacy is defined not by her diagnosis, but by her lasting impact on the lives she touched.

As both a theater and band kid, I have always been drawn to artists who are multifaceted. Having instrumental talent is one thing, having vocal talent is another. But when you are musically talented and have magnetic stage presence, it creates something extraordinary. This is what I believe truly makes someone a star. I discovered Chappell Roan in the summer of 2024, when “HOT TO GO!” was taking TikTok by storm. I wasn't initially pleased. Trending songs rarely ever move me, so I approached her music with cautious skepticism. Then, my best friend insisted I listen to 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess' album. This experience was actually unforgettable. I felt many things at once: relatability to lyrics, emotional connection to the instruments used, and utter fascination with Chappell's opera-like vocal range. This combination of artistic elements had me floored and carried me through the album to the liberating finale of 'Guilty Pleasure'. Her music resonated with me on a deeper level. Each song felt like a personal conversation, with lyrics that articulated feelings I struggled to express. Even watching her performances felt like a theatrical production. This was a testament of her artistic vision that extended beyond the viral hooks. I fell deeper in love with Chappell Roan after connecting with her social media pages and getting a glimpse of her personality. Both online and in person(interviews, appearances, etc), she radiates fearlessness. She embodies everything I stand for and then some. Despite her larger-than-life personality, what I admire the most is her unwavering advocacy for marginalized communities. Every opportunity she gets, she speaks up about women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and artists' rights. It's easy to maintain your principles when they’re never challenged. While we often associate such challenges with adversity, even positive experiences like fame can pressure people to compromise on their values. It becomes harder not to let outside influences change who you are when you are put on a global scale. But as her spotlight grows, Chappell Roan demonstrates the importance of staying authentic no matter your status or accomplishments; she inspires people beyond the realm of music. She gives me the courage to embrace my own identity. When I listen to songs like “Pink Pony Club” or “Femininomenon”, I’m reminded that self-expression is not only a form of self-care, but a form of resistance in a world that values conformity. Chappell Roan is one of the few artists with both musical talent and a moral compass. For that reason, I will proudly support her career for years to come.

My father was my hero growing up. There was a lot he taught me, and even more that he protected me from. In doing this, he also shielded me from everything he dealt with. It's not that I didn't think he ever faced any struggles, but he hid it so well I always assumed nothing was going on. That was until 2024. That summer, I had just finished my studies at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and returned home to Georgia. While living with my dad and observing him throughout the day, I noticed that he didn't exercise as much as he used to. I assumed this was just a part of him getting older. A few weeks later, I also noticed that he had begun to lose weight. This didn't make sense to me, because I saw him eating all the foods he usually did. I finally got around to asking him about his health. When he sat me down, I felt my world shift. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, and that he had been struggling with it for a while. My heart sank as I processed this information, feeling guilty that I hadn't noticed this drastic change in his health sooner. I also felt confused about why he didn't feel comfortable enough sharing this information with me. My father who had always been a strong figure in my life, was being vulnerable with me for the first time, and admitting that he needed help. I feel like this marked a shift in our parent-child dynamic, because someone who had always been my guardian and caregiver was now the one needing care. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this responsibility. His prognosis was constantly on my mind. The uncertainty of what could happen was like a weight on my shoulders. Every time he had a doctor's appointment, his numbers would be lower than the last time. I didn't know his pain, but it was sad to see someone I once viewed as invincible go through changes in his quality of life. However, I knew I had to be his strength during this time of weakness. He had been separated from my mother for years, and lived alone, so it was up to me to look after him. I took on more responsibilities: cooking for him, helping him clean, ensuring he took his medicine on time, and taking him to doctors' appointments. I helped him navigate through difficult decisions for his health, too, such as cutting out certain foods and alcohol from his diet. My dad was also more limited in what he could do since his medication made him tired, so I did more activities with my baby sister(who was unaware of the situation). I took her to the lake and on hikes with me to maintain a sense of normalcy while silently carrying this burden. This experience has increased my awareness of kidney health and preventive measures, so that I can be prepared in case I am genetically predisposed. It has also influenced me to learn more about medical information related to diseases like these, and solidified my interest in pursuing medicine by giving me a deeper purpose and drive for my career. Though this disease has had a negative impact on my dad and is sometimes overwhelming for me, it has brought us closer and allowed me to support him the way he has always supported me. Together, we have developed collective resilience and dedication to stopping the progression of his disease and relieving the symptoms.

Growing up as one of seven siblings, I was a very ambitious kid who always found ways to stand out. Even as a child, I understood that I wanted to use my passions and intelligence to serve others, which is a core value that has defined me. I had a diverse range of interests: I loved chess because of how much it made me think, I loved track because it taught me discipline, and I was passionate about environmental and social advocacy because they sparked my interest in society as a whole. But above all, my love and compassion for animals is what shaped my early career goals. In fact, there was nothing I loved more in the world than dogs. While my siblings had their own fascinations, animals were my thing. On career day in fifth grade, I remember proudly stating my intention to become a Veterinarian. However, my path was redirected when I unfortunately had experiences with profound loss at an early age. I lost my grandmother to Dementia in 2018, and my close friend to a car accident in 2020. These experiences changed my understanding of my purpose. While my passion for animals was strong, the potential to save or impact human lives was stronger. From then on, it was clear that healthcare, a field where I could channel my desire to heal and protect others, was my calling. Though my career path has narrowed, the multifaceted drive I had as a child continues to fuel my approach to life now. Throughout high school and college, I've maintained my commitment to my interests: supporting marginalized communities, engaging in sustainability efforts, and participating in volunteering and mentoring programs. I still make it a point to volunteer at the local Humane Society as well, making rescued animals feel loved as often as I can. I also mentor younger students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds interested in healthcare, ensuring that they have the tools and encouragement they need to succeed. Every day, I continue to honor the legacies of my grandmother Glenda and friend Isabella, who always believed in leaving the world better than we found it. My setbacks, while difficult, clarified my decision to pursue medicine, a field that demands the determination and integrity that my childhood ambitions cultivated in me. Having learned from my experiences and observations of the world around me, I am better equipped to do what I can to improve it and create meaningful change. When my life ends, I know my success won't be measured in material achievements, but in the lives I've touched and the barriers I've helped dismantle for others.

Reading has never just been a hobby for me. Instead, it’s like a gateway to an alternate reality where stories transform from words on a page to vivid, movie-like scenes playing out in my mind. This transformation of mere text into mental imagery has always fascinated me, but never more than when I first discovered Gregory Maguire’s, “Wicked” in 2018. From the moment I opened its pages, I became entranced with Oz and all of its characters and mysteries. In this context, however, Oz was no longer a familiar setting from a children’s tale, but a complex, real world with political and historical implications hidden within. The map at the beginning of the book became my companion and a great reference point as I traced Elphaba’s journey through Munchkinkand, Shiz, the Emerald City, and the remote corners of Oz. I even found myself shifting back and forth between sections of the book, connecting subtle hints and foreshadowing with later revelations. This allowed me to piece together the puzzle of Elphaba’s transformation from misunderstood student to the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. As I dove deeper, I developed an unexpected connection with Elphaba. Her intellectual curiosity and determination to stand up for her beliefs resonated deeply within me. The book challenged my preconceptions about good and evil, forcing me to question the true nature of both. Each chapter was complex and layered, transforming the friendly, familiar world of L. Frank Baum’s original story into something much more visceral and thought provoking. When I finally had the opportunity to see the Broadway musical, it seemed as if I was witnessing my imagination come to life. Though, it wasn’t just a visual experience — it felt like a validation of the personal connection I had formed with each character in the book. More recently, the release of the film adaptation added yet another dimension to my “Wicked” experience. Watching Elphaba’s story unfold on the big screen felt like reconnecting with an old friend. The film was beautifully crafted, with clever references to “The Wizard of Oz”. The soundtrack’s intricate lyrics also revealed new meanings with each listen, much like how reading the book several times continuously unveiled new depths. So, why am I a fan? The thing about “Wicked” is that each iteration—whether it be book, musical play, or film—has enhanced rather than replaced my original experience of the story. It has grown with me, offering new insights and emotional resonance as I have matured. What I once saw as a tale of a girl with a misunderstood identity has now become a tale with themes of political resistance, the complexities of friendship, and the power of perspective when it comes to shaping our understanding of the truth. Through “Wicked”, I have learned that the best stories don’t simply entertain us—they challenge us, grow with us, and ultimately teach us.